Rukmini Devi Mandir, Dwarka: Timings, History & Darshan Guide
Rukmini Devi Mandir is the temple of Rukmini, the chief queen of Lord Krishna, about 2.5 km from the Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka, Gujarat. It is open for darshan from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, entry is free, and it stands apart from Krishna's own temple because of the famous curse of sage Durvasa.
A Dwarka pilgrimage is traditionally considered complete only after you pay your respects to Rukmini Maharani. I was born in Dwarka and have taken travellers to this temple for years and it is one I always recommend people slow down for. This guide covers the darshan timings, the legend behind its separate location, its beautiful carvings and how to reach it. If you would like the whole Dwarka darshan arranged for you, our Somnath Dwarka Tour Package from Experience My India includes Rukmini Devi Mandir on the circuit.
Rukmini Devi Mandir darshan timings
Session | Timing |
Morning darshan | 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
Morning aarti | around 9:00 AM |
Midday closure (temple rests) | 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM |
Evening darshan | 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM |
Evening aarti | around 6:30 PM |
Entry | Free for all devotees |
Like most temples in Dwarka, Rukmini Devi Mandir closes for a long midday rest, so plan your visit for the morning or after 5:00 PM. Timings can shift on festival days such as Janmashtami and Rukmini Ashtami, so confirm locally if you are travelling around a festival.
Where is Rukmini Devi Mandir located?
The temple sits about 2.5 km from the main Dwarkadhish Temple, just off the Dwarka to Okha highway, at Dwarka, Gujarat 361335. It stands a little outside the main town, close to the sea, which is itself part of its story. You can find Rukmini Devi Mandir on Google Maps to place it before you set out.
Why is Rukmini's temple separate from Krishna's? The curse of Durvasa
This is the question every visitor asks and the answer is one of Dwarka's best-loved legends. As the tradition goes, Krishna and Rukmini invited the short-tempered sage Durvasa to dine with them and he agreed on one condition: that the divine couple themselves pull his chariot to Dwarka. On the long, hot journey, Rukmini grew thirsty, so Krishna pressed his toe into the ground and drew up the waters of the Ganga for her. In her relief she drank first, without offering water to the sage. Durvasa, feeling slighted, cursed that Rukmini and Krishna would live apart and that the land of Dwarka would remain barren and without sweet water.
That is why, in devotional tradition, Rukmini's temple stands about 2.5 km away from Krishna's Dwarkadhish Temple and why Dwarka's ground water is famously salty even today. This is a matter of faith and Puranic legend rather than settled history, but it is the heart of the temple's meaning. The story lives on in the temple's unique jal daan or water donation, ritual: devotees offer drinking water here as a sacred act and water is given back as prasad.
Architecture of the Rukmini Devi Temple
Though smaller than the towering Dwarkadhish Temple, the Rukmini shrine is an architectural gem built in the Nagara style, with a tall, tiered shikhara reaching skyward. Its real beauty is in the exterior stone carvings: panels of gajatharas (elephants) and naratharas (human figures) run along the base of the tower and sculptures of gods and goddesses cover the walls, showing the craft of ancient artisans. Inside, paintings narrate the love story of Krishna and Rukmini and the marble idol of the goddess sits in the sanctum. The present structure dates to around the 12th century, while tradition holds the shrine to be far older.
How to reach Rukmini Devi Mandir
From the Dwarkadhish Temple, the Rukmini Devi Mandir is a quick 5 to 10 minute auto-rickshaw ride of about 2.5 km, usually costing around ₹50 to ₹70. It sits on the road that continues to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Bet Dwarka, so it is easy to fold into that side of the trip. If you would rather not haggle with autos, Experience My India can arrange a local cab for the day. For the main temple's schedule, see the Dwarkadhish temple darshan timings.
Visitor tips
Entry is free for all devotees.
Photography is allowed on the exterior carvings, which are the highlight, but restricted inside the inner sanctum.
Do the jal daan: offering and drinking the water here is part of the experience, tied to the Durvasa legend.
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, as at any temple.
Best time: October to March for pleasant weather; early morning is calmest and Rukmini Ashtami is the most special day here.
Plan your Dwarka darshan with Experience My India
Tell us your dates and we will line up Rukmini Devi Mandir, Dwarkadhish and the nearby shrines in one smooth day. You can add it to a one-day Dwarka tour or message us on WhatsApp at +91 73006 20809 or call +91 73006 20809. For the wider circuit, read our Dwarka city guide or our full Dwarka travel guide.
